Drywall taping tool

ABSTRACT

A taping tool is provided, the taping tool includes a housing, a spool disposed at one end of the housing, and a blade disposed at another end of the housing. The blade has a first end defining a first cutting tool and a second end defining a second cutting tool. The blade is retained by the housing in either a first configuration in which the first cutting tool projects from the housing or in a second configuration in which the second cutting tool projects from the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/775,478 filed on Dec. 5, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present subject matter relates to drywall taping tools, and more particularly, to a drywall taping tool having a reconfigurable blade.

BACKGROUND

Banjo type drywall taping tools generally house a spool of tape that is translated along drywall mud within the tool to apply drywall mud to the tape. The tool is then used to apply mudded tape to a work surface. Generic drywall taping tools have a single blade for applying mudded tape to the work surface and cutting the tape after application to the work surface, a handle that is substantially parallel to an upper portion of the taping tool base, and a center of gravity disposed at an outboard location relative to the handle.

SUMMARY

The present subject matter provides, in one aspect, a taping tool including a housing, a spool disposed at one end of the housing, and a blade disposed at another end of the housing. The blade includes a first end defining a first cutting tool and a second end defining a second cutting tool, wherein the blade is retained by the housing in either a first configuration in which the first cutting tool projects from the housing or in a second configuration in which the second cutting tool projects from the housing.

The present subject matter provides, in another independent aspect, a taping tool including a housing having a bottom outer surface, the bottom outer surface defining a base plane, a spool disposed at one end of the housing, and a handle disposed opposite the bottom outer surface and defining a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is provided at an angle relative to the base plane.

The present subject matter provides, in another independent aspect, a taping tool including a housing having a bottom outer surface defining a base plane, a top outer surface, a first end and a second end. A spool is disposed at one end of the housing, a handle disposed at the top outer surface, and a grip are defining an opening between the handle and the housing. The taping tool defines a center of gravity located at a position between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing, and an axis of the center of gravity is perpendicular to the base plane and passes through the grip area of the handle.

Other features and aspects of the present subject matter will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a taping tool according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the taping tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the taping tool of FIG. 1 with a cover removed.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the taping tool of FIG. 1 with the cover removed and tape included in the tool.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the taping tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged alternative perspective view of the taping tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an alternative perspective view of the taping tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of tape for use with the taping tool of FIG. 1.

Before any embodiments of the present subject matter are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a taping tool 10. In one implementation, the taping tool 10 is configured to store and/or dispense drywall mud and/or tape 11 (see e.g., FIG. 7), which may include mesh drywall tape in some embodiments. In other implementations, the taping tool 10 is configured to store and dispense other types of tapes, including paper drywall tape and/or the like.

The taping tool 10 may include a storage compartment 12, a spool 14 disposed at one end of the storage compartment 12, and a blade 16. In some implementations, the blade 16 may be disposed at another end of the compartment 12, which is opposite the spool 14. A housing 17 generally defines the exterior shape of the taping tool 10. The interior of the housing 17 defines the storage compartment 12. Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of the spool 14 is sized and/or shaped for extending through the aperture 11 a (see e.g., FIG. 7) of the tape 11 so that the tape 11 may be rotatable on and/or over the spool 14 relative to the spool 14. This allows the tape 11 to unravel as an adequate tensile force is applied to a free end 11 b of the tape 11.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the storage compartment 12 may include a first slot 18 and a second slot 20. The first slot 18 may be proximate to and/or adjacent the spool 14 and the second slot 20 may be proximate to and/or adjacent to the blade 16. In some implementations, the second slot 20 may be located or disposed directly below the blade 16 (see e.g., FIG. 4). The slots 18, 20 may be sized so that the tape 11 may extend and/or be fed through the slots 18, 20. Additionally, a desired amount of drywall mud may be disposed inside storage component 12 and dispensed with, on, and/or over the tape 11 as the tape 11 is fed through the second slot 20. The housing 17 may further include a cover 22 and one or more fasteners 24. The fasteners 24 may allow the user to remove and reattach the cover 22 to access the inside of the storage compartment 12 in order to fill or refill the compartment 12 with drywall mud. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners 24 include over-center type latches, however, in other embodiments, other types of fasteners, including quarter-turn fasteners and/or the like may be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, the blade 16 may include a first end 26 and a second end 28 opposite the first end 26. The first end 26 may include a first type of cutting tool, such as a straight blade, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The second end 28 may include a second type of cutting tool, different than the first type of cutting tool, such as a serrated blade, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The blade 16 may additionally include a first aperture 30 and a second aperture 32. A fastener 33 may extend through the first aperture 30 and/or the second aperture 32 to couple the blade 16 to the taping tool 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the fastener 33 extends through the second blade aperture 32 to couple the blade 16 to the taping tool 10 so that the straight blade 26 may be exposed and usable for cutting the tape 11. In another configuration, the orientation of the blade 16 may be reversed, so that the serrated blade 28 may be used for cutting the tape 11. In such a configuration, the fastener 33 may extend through the first blade aperture 30 and the serrated blade 28 may be disposed outside of the compartment 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 33 may include a knob 34 having a threaded shaft and a cap nut 38 and the apertures 30, 32 are elongated slots. In other embodiments, the cap nut 38 may be eliminated and the apertures 30, 32 may include threaded circular apertures that receive the threaded shaft extending from the knob 34.

The blade 16 has several advantages over traditional blades used with taping tools 10. The first end 26 of the blade 16 is angled relative to the second end 28 of the blade 16 such that the first end 26 of the blade 16 is housed within and abuts the storage compartment 12. This allows the blade 16 to take up a relatively small amount of volume within the storage compartment 12, allows the tape 11 to freely be passed through the slot 20 without interference with the blade 16, and allows for the cap nut 38 to securely fasten an end (the second end 28 in FIG. 5) of the blade 16 to the housing 17. Additionally, having two cutting edges 26, 28 on the same blade 16 allows a user to exchange the cutting edge 26 extending from the housing 17 for a different type of cutting edge 28 without requiring the user to carry a second blade 16. Further, as described above and shown in FIG. 5, the cutting edges 26, 28 may be different cutting tools. The different cutting tools of the blade 16 may allow a user to more efficiently cut a given tape 11 material. Finally, the blade 16 having multiple cutting tools may allow a user to switch out an end of the blade 16 which is dull for an end of the blade 16 which is sharp to more efficiently cut a given tape 11 material.

Referring to FIG. 2, the taping tool 10 may further include a handle 40. The handle 40 may include a longitudinal axis 42 that extends centrally through the handle 40 along the length of the handle 40 as shown in FIG. 2. The longitudinal axis 42 of the handle 40 may be provided at an angle 44 relative to a base plane 46. The base plane 46 may be located as shown in FIG. 2, and in the illustrated embodiment extends along a bottom flat and generally planar outer surface 48 of the storage compartment 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 44 may be about 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle 44 may include a range from about 6 to about 14 degrees. It has been found that the angle 44 in the disclosed range provides the user with a comfortable and ergonomic handle configuration, which improves user handling and efficiency during a taping process and decreases user fatigue during the taping process.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the handle 40 may extend from a top portion (e.g., a top outer surface 50) of the storage compartment 12 and a grip area 52 may be defined between the handle 40 and the surface 50. The grip area 52 provides an area for the user's fingers when holding the handle 40. The taping tool 10 may be configured so that a center of gravity 54 of the taping tool 10 is located or disposed in the position shown in FIG. 2. The center of gravity 54 is positioned within the storage compartment 12 generally between the slots 18, 20 that tape is passed through, and generally between the base plane 46 and the handle 40. Further, the center of gravity 54 may be at the same position when the storage compartment 12 is filled and/or unfilled. A center of gravity axis 56 may extend through the center of gravity 54, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the base plane 46 as shown in FIG. 2. The center of gravity axis 56 extends through the grip area 52. The disclosed center of gravity location may improve handling of the taping tool 10 during use and may further improve the speed at which the tape 11 may be dispensed, applied, and/or trimmed (e.g., cut).

Referring to FIG. 6, the taping tool 10 may additionally, or alternatively, include a secondary handle 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary handle 58 may include a strap. The strap may include, for example, hook and loop type fasteners in some embodiments. The user may place their hand in the strap with their palm on the storage compartment 12 to hold the taping tool 10 during use in one method of operation. In this way, the user may more efficiently handle and maneuver the taping tool 10 for dispensing tape at different locations and/or orientations.

In operation, the user may attach the tape 11 (see e.g., FIG. 7) to the spool 14 (see e.g., FIG. 3A). With the cover 22 removed and the aperture 11 a engaging the spool 14, the free end 11 b of the tape 11 may be fed through the slot 18, through the storage compartment 12, and through the slot 20 on the other side of the storage compartment 12 such that the free end 11 b protrudes from the slot 20. The compartment 12 may be at least partially be filled with drywall mud while the cover 22 is removed. The cover 22 may be replaced to house the tape 11 and the drywall mud within the storage compartment 12. The user may hold one or both of the handles (e.g., 140, 58) to apply the free end 11 b of the tape 11 to a point on a drywall joint or seam and subsequently translate the taping tool such that tape 11 is applied over the desired drywall joint or seam. As a result, the tape 11 passes through the compartment 12, and drywall mud is applied to the tape 11 as the tape 11 projects from the slot 20 and is applied to the drywall seam. After a seam or joint is taped, the blade 16 (e.g., having ends 26 or 28) may be used to cut the tape 11. A user can then proceed to another drywall joint or seam needing to be taped.

The embodiment(s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the scope of one or more independent aspects as described.

Various features of the present subject matter are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A taping tool comprising: a housing; a spool disposed at one end of the housing; and a blade disposed at another end of the housing, the blade having a first end defining a first cutting tool and a second end defining a second cutting tool, wherein the blade is retained by the housing in either a first configuration, in which the first cutting tool projects from the housing, or in a second configuration, in which the second cutting tool projects from the housing.
 2. The taping tool of claim 1, wherein the first cutting tool is a straight blade.
 3. The taping tool of claim 1, wherein the second cutting tool is a serrated blade.
 4. The taping tool of claim 1, wherein the blade includes a first aperture adjacent the first end and a second aperture adjacent the second end, and the blade is fastened to the housing at either the first aperture or the second aperture.
 5. The taping tool of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second apertures defines an elongated slot.
 6. The taping tool of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second apertures is a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded shaft to fasten the blade to the housing.
 7. The taping tool of claim 4, further comprising a fastener for coupling the blade to the housing, the fastener including a knob.
 8. The taping tool of claim 1, wherein the first cutting tool is at an angle relative to the second cutting tool.
 9. A taping tool comprising: a housing including a bottom outer surface, the bottom outer surface defining a base plane; a spool disposed at one end of the housing; and a handle disposed opposite the bottom outer surface and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is provided at an angle relative to the base plane.
 10. The taping tool of claim 9, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the handle and the base plane is within a range of about 6 degrees to about 14 degrees.
 11. The taping tool of claim 10, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the handle and the base plane is about 10 degrees.
 12. The taping tool of claim 9, wherein the handle defines a grip area between the handle and the housing.
 13. The taping tool of claim 12, wherein the grip area provides an area for a user's fingers when holding the handle.
 14. The taping tool of claim 9, wherein the taping tool defines a center of gravity located between a first end and a second end of the handle in a direction extending between the first end and a second end of the housing.
 15. A taping tool comprising: a housing including a bottom outer surface defining a base plane, a top outer surface, a first end and a second end; a spool disposed at one end of the housing; a handle disposed at the top outer surface; and a grip area defining an opening between the handle and the housing, wherein the taping tool defines a center of gravity located at a position between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing, and an axis of the center of gravity is perpendicular to the base plane and passes through the grip area of the handle.
 16. The taping tool of claim 15, wherein the taping tool includes a second handle.
 17. The taping tool of claim 16, wherein an axis of the center of gravity passes between a first end and a second end of the second handle.
 18. The taping tool of claim 16, wherein the second handle includes a strap.
 19. The taping tool of claim 15, wherein the center of gravity axis extends through a point of the handle between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle, where the point separates a first segment of the handle from a second segment of the handle and the first segment extends generally away from the base plane, and the second segment extends generally towards the base plane.
 20. The taping tool of claim 19, wherein both the first segment and the second segment of the handle are each transverse to the center of gravity axis. 